Fantasy football managers are always searching for the next breakout player who can provide value when injuries strike key contributors. The waiver wire becomes particularly important during the early weeks of the season when depth charts are still taking shape and opportunities can emerge quickly.
Week 4 presents several intriguing options for managers looking to add depth or find a short-term solution. One name generating buzz in fantasy football circles is Sterling Shepard, whose recent performance has caught the attention of savvy managers.
Should Sterling Shepard Be a Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Add in Week 4?
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Sterling Shepard caught four of five targets for 80 yards in the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ Week 3 victory over the New York Jets, posting his most productive performance of the season. That production alone is usable for fantasy purposes, representing solid WR3/flex numbers in PPR formats. More importantly, Mike Evans left the contest with a hamstring strain that is almost certainly going to cost him time, creating opportunity for increased targets.
Evans has a well-documented history of hamstring issues, missing time during both the 2024 and 2019 seasons with similar injuries. Head coach Todd Bowles confirmed the diagnosis but indicated further testing would determine the severity.
Emeka Egbuka is already looking like a star after his six-catch, 85-yard performance, but there’s room for someone else to emerge in Tampa Bay’s passing attack.
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Chris Godwin is likely to return in Week 4 after missing the start of the season as he recovers from offseason ankle surgery, but there will be a ramping-up process as he works back to full health. There’s no way he’s full go immediately after such an extended absence. That would thrust Shepard into a prominent role as the veteran slot option alongside Egbuka on the outside.
To be clear, this is a short-term move, but one fantasy managers in need of a desperation spot starter can consider making while Evans recovers.
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Sterling Shepard Becomes Viable Fantasy Football Pickup
Shepard represents a solid waiver wire pickup for fantasy managers facing immediate roster needs in Week 4. His productive showing against the Jets demonstrates he can still contribute when given opportunities in Tampa Bay’s passing attack. With Evans likely sidelined by his hamstring injury and Godwin working back from ankle surgery, the veteran receiver should see increased targets in the short term.
Fantasy managers shouldn’t expect Shepard to become a weekly starter, but he offers valuable depth during a crucial period. Egbuka’s emergence adds another dimension to the Buccaneers’ offense, but there’s enough volume to support multiple fantasy-relevant receivers while the team navigates these injury concerns. Consider adding Shepard as a temporary solution rather than a long-term investment.
